With just six games remaining of the regular season, every match is now
taking on an added level of importance for the three sides involved in the
relegation battle. Another remarkable round of fixtures saw Atlante crumble in
the capital and Veracruz and Atlas go head-to-head in a game that could prove
to be pivotal for both sides come May.

AS IT STOOD

Atlante’s outstanding run of good form had propelled them to within
touching distance of not only Liga MX safety but also a place in this seasons
Liguilla. Last weekend they picked up their third win in four games, with
Michael Arroyo scoring all four goals in a comprehensive 4-2 victory against the
financially threatened Queretaro.

Round Ten also saw ten-man Veracruz pick up their first win since Round
Two when Luiz Sanchez scored a 92nd minute winner against reigning champions
Club Leon, and Atlas throw away a two goal lead at home to Chiapas to
eventually draw the game 2-2.

Relegation Table – Thursday 13th
March:

POSITION

TEAM

A-11

C-12

A-12

C-13

A-13

C-14

POINTS

GAMES

COEFFICIENT

15

Veracruz

0

0

0

0

20

9

29

27

1.0741

16

Puebla

22

19

13

19

19

10

102

95

1.0737

17

Atlas

12

20

12

32

12

10

98

95

1.0316

18

Atlante

19

16

20

13

12

15

95

95

1.0000

ROUND ELEVEN ACTION

The weekend’s relegation action got underway with a vitally important
game as two of the relegation-threatened sides faced each other. Atlas
travelled to Veracruz for a Saturday evening encounter with both sides knowing
the winner would greatly enhance their chances of survival, whilst the loser
would slide ever closer to demotion.

The game didn't live up to its pre-match billing, with the solitary
goal coming after just twenty three minutes. Maikon Leiton was the scorer,
slamming home Jose Maria Ortigoza’s low cross. The game was an ill-tempered
affair, and both sides ultimately ended up with only ten men left on the pitch.
Sergio Ponce was sent off for the visitors after receiving his second yellow
card just after half time, before Carlos Cardenas followed for Veracruz after
picking up two bookings in just thirteen minutes.

Veracruz’s defeat left the door open for Atlante to lift themselves off
the foot of the relegation table if they could pick up a win in the capital against
high-flying Pumas. Sadly, after so many good performances recently, "Los Azulgranas" buckled under the immense pressure – eventually collapsing to a 5-0 defeat. The
league’s top scorer Martin Bravo scored a brace as Pumas led 3-0 at the break.
Despite the Argentine not remerging for the second period due to injury,
further goals from Diego Lagos and Dario Veron completed the Liga MX’s biggest
rout of 2014.

AS IT STANDS

Relegation Table – Monday 17th
March:

POSITION

TEAM

A-11

C-12

A-12

C-13

A-13

C-14

POINTS

GAMES

COEFFICIENT

15

Puebla

22

19

13

19

19

10

102

96

1.0625

16

Atlas

12

20

12

32

12

13

101

96

1.0521

17

Veracruz

0

0

0

0

20

9

29

28

1.0357

18

Atlante

19

16

20

13

12

15

95

96

0.9896

Atlas’ crucial three points combined with Atlante’s defeat means the
Guadalajara side now have a six point advantage over their Cancun rivals.
Although there are still six games remaining, Atlas will undoubtedly be
confident of maintaining an advantage and ensuring their safety.

Defeat for Atlante also means they missed the chance to leapfrog
Veracruz, though as we mentioned last week, the volatile nature of a
newly-promoted team’s coefficient means Atlante will get another chance to overtake
them this weekend.

All three sides face tough matches in Round Twelve. On Saturday
Veracruz travel to Club America and Atlas host Chivas, before Atlante host
second-placed Toluca on Sunday evening.

In the general table, Veracruz stay last, Atlas stay fourteenth, and Atlante
drop to ninth. Los Azulgranas are now outside of the Liguilla places and just
two point ahead of rivals Atlas.